At this point, it should be safe to expect that Apple will release the iPhone 5S in a new gold color option. Aside from the fact that gold is a popular aftermarket choice for iPhone casings, it is also said to be the easiest tones to anodize. If you are wondering how the gold iPhone 5S will look like when compared to the black and white iPhone, Japanese Weekly magazine ASCII has published photos that compares the gold iPhone rear shell with the black and white iPhone 5.

The photo above makes it hard to discern the actual color of the gold iPhone 5S rear shell. It looks more like a tan color as opposed to gold. Thankfully with the succeeding photos posted by ASCII, you can now actually tell that the case has a gold tone. As mentioned in various rumors, the gold iPhone 5S will feature an elegant, champagne-gold tone as opposed to bright, yellow gold. Personally, I think it's better that Apple opted for a less vulgar tone. However, the gold color found on these photos are somehow muted.

But of course, keep in mind that these photos are hardly official, so it's very possible that the gold iPhone 5S will look very different. But then again, there is no official word yet on the next-gen iPhone, so there is a chance that all these rumors are false. Many reliable sources have already weighed in on the gold iPhone 5S, so the chances are definitely there.

The iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C are slated to be unveiled on September 10 during Apple's iPhone media event. A week more or so and Apple should start sending out invites for this highly anticipated event. Both the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C are expected to launch on September 20.

Do you have any plans to update your iPhone? Do you fancy the gold iPhone 5S? [via iPhoneHacks]